Anna Bullard: Championing Access & Equity in Autism Care

n this heartfelt and powerful episode of Tim Talks, host Timothy Zercher sits down with Anna Bullard, VP of Payor Operations at Holding Hands Pediatric Therapy & Adult Services and the driving force behind Georgia’s historic “Ava’s Law.” Anna shares the deeply personal story of her daughter’s autism diagnosis, the battle for insurance reform, and the grit it took to open a rural ABA clinic where services were lacking. From misconceptions held by payors to the harsh realities of provider reimbursement, Anna brings 15+ years of experience, advocacy, and passion to the mic.

Whether you're a provider, policymaker, or parent - this conversation will leave you inspired, informed, and more committed than ever to the mission of accessible autism care.

Transcript

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00:00
Timothy A. Zercher: So Anna, you've championed access to care and actually gotten into place a couple of different laws. If you wouldn't mind, tell us a little bit about the story about Ava's Law.

00:08
Anna Bullard: Yeah, I mean, it's interesting because I didn’t have anybody in my family at the time or actually didn’t know anybody with autism... [shares Ava’s diagnosis, insurance denial, and legislative journey leading to Ava’s Law].

01:38
Timothy A. Zercher: So Anna, you’ve opened a rural clinic in Georgia to help meet some of the immediate community needs for ABA services and for autism services. What has that experience taught you, even beyond some of the experience you’ve already had in your career?

01:55
Anna Bullard: Yeah, so it was very interesting... [discusses rural access challenges, her nephew’s diagnosis, and building a clinic from scratch with community support].

03:33
Timothy A. Zercher: Yeah, that is awesome. And it's never an easy challenge, but you're doing work that needs to be done for the families in the area.

03:40
Anna Bullard: Yeah, it’s been very rewarding but also very eye-opening... [addresses older children without early intervention and how the clinic is adapting to their needs].

04:23
Timothy A. Zercher: What are some of the biggest misconceptions payors still have about ABA services? And how do you think those of us in the community can actually help start bridging some of those gaps?

04:35
Anna Bullard: Yeah, I mean, I think that misconceptions payors have probably are still along the lines of what it takes to carry staff... [explains delayed reimbursements, credentialing challenges, and the financial risk providers take to start care].

06:21
Timothy A. Zercher: Yeah, absolutely. So what keeps you hopeful and motivated in this field? It is not an easy place to work.

06:45
Timothy A. Zercher: You have challenges every single day. What keeps you motivated and excited and able to keep coming at it every day with the energy that you do?

06:52
Anna Bullard: Yeah, when you asked me that question… [emotional reflection on her daughter Ava’s progress, and the hope she sees in the kids they serve].

08:08
Timothy A. Zercher: That’s awesome. It makes complete sense. So last question I think that we’ll get in today…

08:28
Timothy A. Zercher: For providers navigating incredibly complex reimbursement landscapes and processes, what is one kind foundational element or area that they should focus on?

08:38
Anna Bullard: Really great question. I think that you really have to know the area, right? You need to do your homework and know... [emphasizes community-specific needs, diagnostic access, language, and clinician availability].

10:24
Timothy A. Zercher: Service has to happen first before you can worry about how much or where or when you’re going to get paid for it. Yeah, that makes perfect sense.